Framing device for a fire-rated glass floor

ABSTRACT

A framing device for a glass floor unit utilizing a shield connected to the glass floor unit and at least one tab connected to the shield. A threaded member selectively interacts with the tab to adjust the vertical position of the glass floor and to hold down the glass floor relative to a support connected to an edifice foundation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/362,438, filed 22 Mar. 2019.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a novel and useful glass floor systemwhich may be installed in building structures.

Glass floor structures have been used in the past in substitution forconventional floor units in edifices. Typically, glass floors areconstructed in two parts. The upper part normally consists of a durableor structural glass layer, which may take the form of laminated,tempered glass plates. Such structural glass also provides a walkingsurface for the floor of the building base. A fire-rated glass portionis also placed below the durable structural glass layer and is eitherconnected to the durable glass layer or separated from the same. Thefire-rated glass unit typically provides fire protection below the glassfloor unit.

In the past, many glass floor systems have been proposed. For example,French patent FR2723123 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,475 depict suchstructures.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,925,709 discloses a significant improvement to suchprior art systems by the addition of a post-installation adjustmentmechanism to determine the level of the glass floor system in relationto the construction parameters of the building in which the glass floorsystem has been installed.

Glass floor units, although aesthetically pleasing and compatible withexisting structures, often suffer damage prior to installation, duringshipping and transport, as well as damage due to traffic on the walkingsurface, as a result of moving objects and/or vehicles such asskateboards, scooters, and the like.

A glass floor apparatus which is able to resist destructive forcesduring shipment and after installation would be a notable advance in theconstruction arts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present application, a novel and useful framingdevice for a glass floor structure is herein provided.

The device of the present application utilizes a glass floor unitconsisting of a durable or structural glass floor portion having awalking surface, which is connected to a fire-rated glass portion belowthe walking surface. The durable glass portion is formed with anundersurface and a side surface in addition to the walking surface.

The glass floor unit is also assembled with a support that is positionedto exert a force on the glass floor unit. The support is linked to abearing foundation, which is a conventional structure provided by thebuilding itself.

The device of the present application also includes a shield which isprovided with a first part that extends over the walking surface of thedurable glass portion and a second part that overlies the side surfaceof the durable glass portion. The shield further includes a third partthat forms a pocket for at least partially encompassing the supportholding the glass floor unit to the foundation. The shield affordsoverall impact and abrasion protection to the glass floor unit.

In certain cases, the support may take the form of a plate that lieswithin the pocket formed within the third part of the shield. In thisregard, the shield may take the form of a metallic member and serves toaid in the transfer of loading or any seismic uplift or other forcesbelow the fire-rated glass unit. Such forces may include explosions orbomb blasts.

Where glass floor units are placed adjacent one another to form a largeglass floor, shields may be used on multiple glass floor units. In thecase of two adjacent glass floor units, the third portions of adjacentshields each form a pocket that encompasses a common support or suchcommon support in the form of a plate, as hereinabove described. Theshields of the present application are fully compatible with theadjustment mechanism found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,926,709, hereinabovedescribed.

It may be apparent that a novel and useful framing device for a glassfloor structure has been hereinabove described.

It is therefore an object of the present application to provide aframing device for a glass floor structure that aids in the preventionof damage to the glass floor structure during transportation to thebuilding site.

Another object of the present application is to provide a framing devicefor a glass floor structure that resists damage to the glass floorstructure after installation due to walking traffic, as well as movingdevices such as carts, scooters, skateboards, and the like.

Another object of the present application is to provide a framing devicefor a glass floor structure that aids in the transfer of gravitationalloading and for other extraneous uplift forces.

Another object of the present application is to provide a framing devicefor a glass floor structure that is fully compatible with any adjustmentmechanisms employed with a particular glass floor unit.

Another object of the present application is to provide a framing devicefor a glass floor structure that provides a groove or pocket that isusable with adjustment mechanisms known in the prior art.

Another object of the present application is to provide a framing devicefor a glass floor unit that includes a shield over glass surfaceportions of the glass floor unit as protection against damaging forces,which may be encountered prior to or after installation of the glassfloor unit.

Yet another object of the present application is to provide a shield fora glass floor unit formed of a fire-rated glass layer overlain andconnected to a structural glass layer.

The application possesses other objects and advantages especially asconcerns particular characteristics and features thereof which willbecome apparent as the specification continues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a pair of glass floor units installedabove a foundation utilizing the framing device of the presentapplication.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view of FIG. 1 amplifying theframing device of the present application in use on a pair of glassfloor units.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a framing device fora glass floor unit.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a framing devicefor a glass floor.

FIG. 6 is a top sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 depictingstaggered tabs between adjacent shields.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view with the shields in section depicting yetanother embodiment of the framing device of the present application.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of a framing device for aglass floor.

FIG. 13 is a side view, partially in section of the tab shown in FIG. 12in place between a pair of glass floor units.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of a framingdevice for a glass floor.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the embodiment illustrated in FIG.15 .

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of a framingdevice for a glass floor.

For a better understanding of the application, reference is made to thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereofwhich should be referenced to the prior described drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the present application will evolve from thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereofwhich should be referenced to the prior delineated drawings.

The invention as a whole is depicted in the drawings by referencecharacter 10. Framing device 10 is depicted in FIG. 1 as being part of aglass floor unit 12. Glass floor unit 12 is fashioned with a durable orstructural glass, upper portion 14, and a lower fire-rated glass portion16. Structural glass portion 14 may comprise multiple layers of temperedglass that are laminated to one another. As such, a walking surface 18is provided that is exposed to traffic of various sorts. For example, inaddition to ambulatory traffic, walking surface 18 is typically used forcarts, rolling furniture, skateboards, scooters, and the like. As shownin FIG. 1 , glass floor unit is employed with a support 20 which mayinclude an adjuster 21 to raise and lower glass floor units 12, as wellas an adjacent glass floor unit 22 having structural glass portion 24and fire-rated glass portion 26. Adjuster 21 is described in U.S. Pat.No. 9,926,709. Walking surface 18 is indicated in the drawing to extendacross both glass units 12 and 22. It should be noted that fire-ratedglass portions 16 and 26 of glass floor units 12 and 22, respectively,may be in the form of a glass panel identified as Superlite-II-XLF,which is available from SaftiFirst of Brisbane, Calif. Glass floor units12 and 22 sit atop gypsum boards 28 and 30, which in turn lie atopconcrete post 32. Closure 34 encases and serves as a form for thepouring of concrete post 32 positioned on foundation or base 36. Beam 38within concrete post 32 is typically attached to foundation or base 36,which may be embodied as a building support such as a wall, a bracketattached to a wall, and the like. Gypsum board block 37 is glued to beam38 prior to the pouring of concrete post 32. Beam 38 within concretepost 32 extends upwardly to a flange 40 beneath gypsum boards 28 and 30.

Turning to FIG. 2 , it may be observed that device 10 is more clearlydepicted. Support 20 is depicted as including an adjustment bolt 38 ofadjuster 21 positioned within channel 40 and a plate 42 which is capableof moving upwardly and downwardly to adjust the position of glass floorunits 12 and 22. Seals 44 and 46 lie adjacent channel 40. A pair ofshields 48 and 50 are used to protect glass floor units 12 and 22against damaging forces. With respect to shield 48, a first part 52thereof extends over walking surface 18 of glass floor unit 22. Firstpart 52 is relatively narrow in width, extending 1.5 cm or less inheight above walking surface 18. First part 52 is also formed with arelieved edge portion 54 which may take the form of a chamfered,beveled, rounded, or like configuration. Shield 48 also is formed with asecond part 56 that overlies side surface 58 of glass floor unit 22. Athird part 60 of shield 48 assumes a U-shaped configuration and forms apocket 62 which at least partially encompasses a plate 42 of support 20.It should be realized that the structure of shield 50 with respect toglass floor unit 12 possesses the same structure and is illustrated inFIG. 2 as being a mirror image of shield 48. Needless to say, shield 50also possesses a third part 64 that forms a pocket 66 to at leastpartially encompass plate 42 of support 20. In this manner, the walkingsurface 18 of glass units 12 and 22 are protected against damage,especially at the corners thereof from traffic on walking surface 18.Also, side surface 58 of glass floor unit 22 and side surface 68 offloor unit 12 are protected by second parts 56 and 63, respectively,which is especially useful during transport and positioning of glassfloor units 12 and 22. It should also be noted that the undersurface 70of glass floor unit 22 and the undersurface 72 of glass floor unit 12are overlain by third part 64 of shield 50 and third part 60 of shield48, respectively. This positioning of third parts 64 and 60 of shields50 and 48 aids device 10 in the transferring of load from uplift forcesthat may occur due to seismic events, bomb blasts, and the like belowfire-rated glass portions 16 and 26.

FIG. 3 shows the relative positioning of the heretofore describedelements of device 10. It should also be realized that directionalarrows 74 and 76 represent the forces exerted by traffic on walkingsurface 18 and the lift force exerted on device 10 by bomb blast,seismic, or other environmental reacting forces, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 4 , another embodiment 10A of the device of thepresent application is depicted. Common elements to device 10 of FIGS. 1and 2 retain reference characters in FIG. 4 . Device 10A is formed withshields 90 and 92 that are protecting glass floor units 12 and 22.Shield 90 may be formed of any rigid or semi rigid material such asstainless steel, copper, and the like. Shield 90 possesses a first part94 that extends over walking surface 18 of glass floor unit 22. Firstpart 94 is similar to first part 52 of shield 48 of FIGS. 1 and 2 , andextends 1.5 cm or less in height above walking surface 18. First part 94is also fashioned with a relieved edge portion 96 which may bechamfered, leveled, rounded, or the like. Shield 90 is also constructedwith a second part 98 overlying side surface 58 of glass floor unit 22.Third part 100 of shield 90 takes a U-shaped or concave form to create apocket 102, which at least partially encompasses plate 42 of support 20.

Shield 90 also comprises a fourth part 104 that overlies and protectsside 106 of fire-rated glass portion 26, as well as underside 108,thereof.

Shield 92, a mirror image of shield 90 has a first part 110 with arelieved edge 106 atop walking surface 18. Shield 92 further includes asecond part 112 overlying side surface 68 of durable structural glass 14and a third part 114 defining a pocket 116, at least partiallyencompassing plate 42 of support 20. Lastly, shield 92 is furtherconfigured with a fourth part 118 overlying and protecting side 120 andunderside 122 of fire-rated glass portion 16.

Referencing now FIGS. 5 and 6 , yet another embodiment 10B of the deviceof the present application is shown. Device 10B is again employed withglass floor units 12 and 22. Device 10B depicts an adjuster 124 whichutilizes a tab or clip 126 that is connected to shield 90, attached toglass floor unit 221, shown partially in FIGS. 5 and 6 , by a weld 128.Tab 126 includes an opening or aperture 120 therethrough. A steel plate132 is supported by the flange 40 of beam 38 within concrete post 32positioned on foundation 36, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Steel plate 132includes a threaded opening 134 which accepts a threaded bolt 136. Head138 of threaded bolt 136 bears on tab 126. A lock nut 139 is fixed tobolt 136. The turning of bolt head 138, directional arrow 140, will moveglass floor unit up or down relative to steel plate 132 and foundation36, directional arrow 142. It should be noted that a tab 144 isconnected at weld 146 to shield 92, connected to glass floor unit 12,and operates in the same manner as tab 126, by the use of an adjustersimilar to adjuster 124. FIG. 6 depicts the staggering of tabs 126, 144,and 148 between shield 90 of glass floor unit 22 and shield 92 of glassfloor unit 12.

Viewing now FIGS. 7-11 , another embodiment 10C of the framing devicefor a fire-rated glass floor is shown. Glass floor units 150 and 512 aredepicted schematically. It should be understood that glass floor units150 and 152 are similar to glass floor units 12 and 22 of FIG. 2 . Glassfloor units 150 and 152 include connected shields 154 and 156, which aresimilar to shields 90 and 92 of FIG. 4 . Shields 154 and 156 areconnected to glass floor units 150 and 152 by mastic layers 151 and 153,respectively. A support 158 is similar to support 20 of FIG. 1 and maytake the form of a metallic member or plate which sits atop a beam (noteshown) similar to beam 38 of FIG. 1 . Embodiment 10C includes aplurality of tabs 160 in the form of L-shaped members. Tabs 162, 164,and 166 are welded to shield 154. Likewise, tabs 168 and 170 are weldedto shield 156. It should be understood that plurality of tabs 160 arenot limited to the number depicted in FIG. 7 .

With reference now to FIG. 8 , it may be observed that tab 162 is shownand includes a threaded bolt 172 that threadingly engages a tappedopening 174 through L-shaped tab 162. The bottom surface 176 of threadedbolt 172 bears on the upper surface 178 of support 158. Thus, theturning of threaded bolt 172, directional arrow 180, moves tab 162,shield 154, and connected glass floor unit 150 up or down according todirectional arrow 182. It should be realized that tabs 166, and 168operate in the same manner. Needless to say, tab 168, of course, beingwelded to shield 156, moves connected glass floor unit 152 up or down inthe same manner as heretofore described with respect to tab 162.

Looking at FIG. 9 , it may be seen that tab 164 includes a threaded bolt184 that engages a tapped opening 186 in support 158. Opening 188through L-shaped tab 164 is untapped allowing bolt head 190 to bear ontab 164 and permits tab 164 to serve as a hold down of shield 154 andattached glass floor unit 150. Again, tab 164 operates in the samemanner as tab 170 welded to shield 156 associated with glass floor unit152. Plurality of tabs 160 are staggered across support 158, as shown inFIG. 7 . FIG. 10 depicts tab 162 welded to shield 154. Likewise, FIG. 11shows tab 164 welded to shield 154.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-14 , another embodiment 10D is depicted. FIG.12 shows a tab 192 which is welded to a metallic shield 194 held to aglass floor unit 196 by a mastic layer 198, FIGS. 13 and 14 . Tab 192 iswelded to shield 194 along weld line 200, FIGS. 12-14 . Tab 192 includesa shelf 202 which accepts Allen head bolts 204 and 206. A tapped opening208 extends through shelf 202 and allows Allen head bolt 204 tothreadingly engage tapped opening 208 and to bear on the upper surface210 of support 158. Thus, the turning of Allen head bolt 204 will raiseand lower shield 194 and connected glass floor unit 196, according todirectional arrow 212. Also, shelf 202 of tab 192 possesses an aperture214 which extends through shelf 202. Allen head bolt 206 is thus able toengage a threaded opening 216 in support 158, which functions as ahold-down for shield 194 and connected glass floor unit 196, accordingto directional arrow 218. It should be seen that the space between glassfloor unit 196 and glass floor unit 220 (shown schematically in FIGS. 13and 14 ) is filled with caulking 222 and foam rod 224. A cap 226encloses caulking 222 and foam rod 224. FIG. 14 illustrates thepositioning of tab 192 and a similar tab 228 between shields 194 and 230associated with and connected to glass floor units 196 and 220,respectively. Tab 228 is welded to shield 230 in a similar manner thattab 192 is welded to shield 194. Tab 192 and 228 are staggered alongsupport 158 between glass floor units 196 and 220.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate yet another embodiment 10E of the glass floorunit device of the present application. As shown, the glass floor unitand shields depicted in FIGS. 12-14 are again shown in FIGS. 15 and 16and bear identical reference characters. A shield 232 is held andconnected to glass floor unit 196 by mastic layer 198. Shield 232 isformed with protrusions 236 and 238 which form a recess 240,therebetween. A plate 244 is held within the recess 240 by welding thesame to a shield 232. Plate 244 includes a tapped or threaded opening246. Allen head bolt 242 threadingly engages tapped opening of plate 244and bears on support 158 allowing Allen head bolt to adjust the up anddown movement of shield 230 and connected glass floor unit 196,according to directional arrow 250. Similarly, shield 248, fashioned asa mirror image of shield 230, allows the up and down adjustment ofshield 248 and connected glass floor unit 220, directional arrow 250.Turning now to FIG. 16 , shields 230 and 248 connected to glass floorunits 196 and 220, respectively, also include lips 252 and 254,respectively. Allen head bolt 256 passes through an aperture 258 ofplate 260 and engages a threaded or tapped opening 262 in support 158.Thus, FIG. 16 illustrates a hold-down of glass floor units 196 and 220via shields 230 and 248. Gaskets 264 and 266 are intended to controlmoisture in the space between glass floor units 196 and 220. Gasket 268,FIG. 16 , is also employed to control the flow of moisture between glassfloor units 196 and 220. It should also be apparent that Allen head bolt256 includes a head 268 with a serrated circumference 270. Serratedcircumference 270 engages serrated surfaced legs 272 and 274 of cap 226for the purpose of stabilization of Allen head bolt 256.

Looking now at FIG. 17 , embodiment 10F of the present application isrevealed. Embodiment 10F possesses many of the common elements shown inFIGS. 12-16 and are appropriately identified with common referencecharacters. Shield 278 is attached to glass floor unit 196 by masticlayer 198 and is formed with an extension 280 or protrusion 280 having aslot 282. An L-shaped extrusion 284 slidingly engages slot 282 and formsa support for Allen head bolt 286. An aperture 288 through L-shapedextrusion 284 positions Allen head bolt 286 into threading engagementwith a threaded opening 290 in support 158. Thus, the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 17 serves as a hold-down for glass floor unit 196.Shield 291, connected to glass floor unit 220, is shown as a mirrorimage of shield 278 and, thus, includes a slot 194 for an L-shapedextrusion similar to extrusion 284 and a bolt similar to bolt 286 whichwould then function as a hold-down for glass floor unit 220.

In operation, the framing device for a fire-rated glass floor ofembodiment 10C is operated by utilizing the threaded bolts associatedwith each of the plurality of tabs 160. For example, in FIG. 8 ,threaded bolt 172 is turned and engages threaded or tapped opening 174at tab 162 such that the bottom of threaded bolt 172 bears on the uppersurface 178 of support 158. Thus, shield 154 welded to tab 162 movesglass floor unit 150 up or down as desired. Similarly, with respect toFIG. 9 , it may be observed that tab 164 includes a threaded bolt 184that engages a tapped opening 186 of support 158 and serves as a holddown such that the bolt head 190 of threaded bolt 184 bears on tab 164.Again, tabs 162, 168, and 166 operate as position adjusters, while tabs164 and 167 serve as hold downs.

While in the foregoing embodiments of the application have been setforth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a completedisclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in theart that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departingfrom the spirit and principles of the application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A framing device for a floor structure positionedon foundation, comprising: a glass floor unit, said glass floor unitcomprising a durable glass portion, including a walking surface, anundersurface, and a side surface located intermediate said walkingsurface and said undersurface, and a connected fire-rated glass portion,said fire-rated glass portion including a side surface and anundersurface adjacent said side surface; a support for said glass floorunit, said support linked to the foundation; a shield, said shield beingfixed to said glass floor unit by a connector for movement of theshield, floor unit, and connector as a whole, said shield being formedof a rigid or semi-rigid material, said shield comprising one partoverlying said side surface of said durable glass portion of said glassfloor unit and another part overlying said side surface of saidfire-rated glass portion and overlying said undersurface of saidfire-rated glass portion of said glass floor unit; one tab connected tosaid shield, said one tab including a tapped opening therethrough; and athreaded member, said threaded member threadingly engaging said tappedopening of said one tab and engaging said support and an adjuster formoving said glass floor unit relative to the foundation, said adjustercomprising said threaded member being turnable relative to said tab andsaid connected shield.
 2. The device of claim 1 which additionallycomprises another tab and a mechanism for holding said another tabrelative to said support.
 3. The device of claim 1 in which said one tabfurther comprises an aperture therethrough and said support comprises atapped opening and said threaded member comprises a first threadedmember and further comprises a second threaded member, said secondthreaded member passing through said aperture and threadingly engagingsaid tapped opening in said support.
 4. The device of claim 1 in whichsaid shield comprises a first shield and which further comprises asecond shield, and said glass floor unit comprises a first glass floorunit and further comprises a second glass floor unit, said second shieldbeing connected to said second glass floor unit in facing configurationrelative to said first shield, said another tab being connected to saidsecond shield.
 5. The device of claim 4 in which said one and anothertabs are staggered from one another along a dimension of said first andsecond shields.
 6. The device of claim 1 in which said shield comprisesa stainless steel shield.
 7. The device of claim 1 in which said shieldcomprises a copper shield.
 8. The device of claim 1 in which saidconnector comprises a mastic layer between said shield and said glassfloor unit.
 9. The device of claim 1 in which said one tab connected tosaid shield is welded to said shield.